Rosanna Hyland Music Promotions Interview

How did you get into musical theatre?

I trained! I was always a theatre and music kid and was fortunate enough to be able to keep pursuing that at college.

You are currently in rehearsals for Back To The Future, how is that going?

It’s been a whirlwind! Kind of amazing to see how quickly we’ve gotten this show back on its feet and to see Hill Valley coming back to life! 

What was it like doing Back To The Future in Manchester?

Doing Back To The Future in Manchester was pretty mind-blowing. The movie has a really dedicated fan base, who turned out in force to support the show. Their response as an audience was beyond anything we could ever have imagined. Truly one for the personal history books!

What was the auditioning process like for this?

I had convinced myself they would never consider me for the part so was really detached from the idea of even getting my foot in the door! But I got a request to send in a self tape for the first workshop, and then the workshop was then effectively a kind of two week audition for the part itself. I was offered the role of Lorraine shortly after. 

You’ve also starred in Shrek The Musical, Cabaret, and School Of Rock, what was that like and what did you take away from each role?

Each of those jobs were so completely different! CABARET was my very first professional job and it taught me so much about how a show gets made, how to manage my energy on a show schedule, and definitely affirmed that I was doing the thing I love most! SHREK was special because I was a swing and cover so I was really pushed to the limits mentally and physically and I’m a bit proud I did it! SCHOOL OF ROCK was a big box ticker for me. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s shows were the first to inspire me to do musical theatre so it was pretty special to be in one of them. That show taught me that the next generation of talent is going to be fiercer than ever! 

What have been some of your favorite roles you have had so far?

Hope Cladwell in URINETOWN was a special one for me. It was already one of my favorite shows, having done it in college and sworn I’d jump at any chance to do it again. It’s now one of my favorite jobs because of the truly special company of people that put it together. We are still in touch seven years later!

What do you look for when you go into auditions for a specific role?

Sometimes it’s just a gut feeling, but I always hope to find something that’s well written and contrasting to the last thing I did!

Anything you haven’t starred in yet, that you would love to, should the opportunity arise?

I think I’ve got an Amalia Balash and a Baker’s Wife in me! 

What have been some of your career highlights?

Back To the Future is very much at the top of the list! 

What would you like the future to hold for you professionally?

I’ve never been able to plan what’s next for myself, I’m just an opportunist. But whatever it is I hope it’s fun and the good kind of challenging.